GGL against illegal gambling operator Red Rhino
The Joint Gambling Authority of the German States (GGL) has imposed a penalty of 50.000 euros on Red Rhino Limited. This is part of its efforts to promote a regulated market and suppress illegal activities. But why was this penalty imposed on the gambling operator Red Rhino Limited? The GGL explains that the penalty was imposed due to a failure to comply with a prohibition order that was intended to prevent the operator from continuing to offer illegal gambling in German-speaking countries.
Red Rhino violates the order with a 50.000 fine
The GGL authority has been working for months to curb the growing illegal gambling in German-speaking countries. According to current media reports, it has been particularly successful with Red Rhino Limited. This provider is said to have continued to offer gambling in German-speaking countries despite an enforceable prohibition order. The GGL has reacted and imposed a hefty fine of 50.000 euros.
It was only a matter of time before the states' Joint Gaming Authority took action against the first unlicensed online casino provider. There are probably numerous lawsuits or at least ongoing investigations in the background. The gaming regulator had already informed about this last year. Many cases relating to illegal gambling operators have already been processed within the framework of the available statutory administrative procedures.
Benjamin Schwanke, member of the GGL board, commented on the procedure as follows: "The GGL's measures are having an effect, and we are observing an increased curbing of existing illegal online gambling offers."
Harder Measures against illegal gambling through the GGL
Since 2021, gambling has been allowed in German-speaking countries, but only for providers of online casinos or gaming halls that receive a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States. Without this license, it is prohibited to offer virtual slot machines or other games of chance in German-speaking countries. Red Rhino Limited did not seem to comply with this and published their offer anyway, and now they have to face the consequences.
A crucial criterion for legal action against illegal gambling is that there is no adequate protection for young people and players according to German standards. The authority therefore uses the administrative means available to take action against unauthorized online gambling offers. The imposition of penalty payments is an effective measure to enforce the prohibition order. Network blocking has also been attempted in the past, but the GGL has had only limited success with this in German courts. This is because enforcement measures against internet providers are difficult to enforce as they are not responsible for the legality or illegality of German online casinos.
